ABSTRACT
Ethology is the study of animals in their natural setting. The basic idea of Robert Hinde and other ethological psychologists is that under-standing of the development and adaptation of the human and other species has to be based on knowledge about their biological capacities, the ecological niche in which characteristics have evolved and the ecological niche in which individual humans find themselves at present. The ethological tenets influence the research methods. Ethologists prefer a natural science approach and emphasize the importance of describing children and young animals in different situations. Children with genes that contribute to their development of attachment behavior and physical proximity to a caregiver have increased likelihood that they will survive to sexual maturity and thereby transfer their genes to other individuals. It has had a strong influence on clinical psychology, social work with children and attitudes to raising children in general. It has also been an inspiration for ecological psychology.
